Firefighters step up to fundraising challenge

Members of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue’s Climb the Wall team, Alexandria Marshall and Mike Gordon are joined by Fire Chief Geordie Douglas. Douglas stopped by to show his support while the pair were practicing for their upcoming competition. The two are part of a five-person team who will be among 200 firefighters participating in a fundraiser for the Lung Association at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Five base firefighters will strap on 50 pounds of protective firefighting gear and breathing apparatus Feb. 23 and embark on a 48-storey climb to the top of Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

Their efforts are part of the 19th annual Climb the Wall fundraiser for the BC Lung Association.

“To be certain, it will be a gruelling physical task and will push our bodies to the limit,” said Mike Gordon, who will lead the charge up the stairs. “But efforts like this are part of our job giving back and helping out people in our community who are in need.”

Following him up the stairs will be Tristan Thomas, Alexandria Marshall, Jeff Clarkson, and Keith Kershaw.

“The idea of a physical challenge to raise awareness around lung disease is a cause that hits close to home for those in the fire service,” said Marshall.

To prepare for the 739 steps, the group climb up and down the five flights of stairs at the firehall in full gear.

For a competitive edge, the Climb the Wall time to beat is four minutes and 17 seconds.

“Our team is up to the task and I know we are sending the right people for this competition,” said fire chief Geordie Douglas. “The training and fundraising work they have been doing in advance of the competition is very impressive. It’s great to see the support they are getting from the base continuing to snowball.”

The team’s fundraising drive has surpassed the initial goal of $1,300.

For more information about the Climb the Wall fundraiser visit www.stairclimb.ca

To support the Esquimalt team click on the support button in the drop down menu and follow the link to their fundraising webpage.